To worry my DC doesn't know any words yet?

Dc is 16 months old, makes lots of noises/shrieks etc, babbles frequently (more so when tired) has been saying dadada for a long time but I don't think she knows yet that Daddy is dadada IYKWIM? I couldn't say 'oh yes DC knows that's daddy and she calls him dadada' or 'she says nana when she wants a banana' I'm hoping you all understand what I am trying to say. Sorry if it's a bit confusing..

She also does a lot of.. squirming? I'm not sure how to describe it... it's like when she gets excited it comes out in her body movements and facial expressions. A lot. I've not seen another baby's face and body move like that so often.

When did your DC's say their first word in the right context? Any other people's babies bodies get excited?

Mine never babbled at all and were slow to say words, but when they did start speaking it was full sentences almost immediately.

Give it some more time. Do try the pointing and saying the words though. Ask her where things are. if she can't show you just point or touch it yourself and say there it is etc. Also comment on what you and they are doing even if it is really mundane. like " thats' a big red car you are playing with" or "mummys doing the washing up now" or "does that apple taste good?" just keep chatting away.

I'd be more worried if she doesn't seem to understand you. It was obvious mine understood things, way before they actually spoke. Seek advice from the HV if you are worried.

Mine only said "That?", "Dadda" and "Dog" when we went for our 18-month check-up.

He's now 23 months and still speaks in a lot of babble, but he has close to 100 words. He still can't say his own name (he can't do "L" sounds) and most of his words only I understand ("smah" for smoothie, "pan" for pancakes, "eh" for elephant etc.) but as long as it's an approximation of the real word, my doctor says it counts as a word.

I can also have long exchanges with my son using his limited vocabulary, so I know that his understanding of language and the environment is excellent.

By contrast, my friend's son (2.3) still only has one word, but that's not the real issue. He appears to understand little, doesn't point, and can't follow simple commands, such as bring your shoes. He's currently being assessed for autism.

I think people seriously underestimate the degree of variation in the ages children pass these milestones.

My dd only had one word at that age -- Daddy -- but now, at 2 years 4 months, speaks in full sentences. While my friend's son who is just a little younger than her, has only a handful of words and those words he does speak are barely recognizable.

On the other hand he is much more physically adept than her and far more socially gregarious.

You will find also that the development process isn't always a smooth curve. My dd suddenly went through this quantum leap in speaking that took place over a period of about two months. She went from not being verbal at all to speaking clear sentences.

I think there's almost certainly nothing to worry about, but I'd run it past an HV just for your own peace of mind, just so you know its being kept an eye on.

I think 16 months is too young to be worrying. One of my DC had only two words by his 2nd birthday, but could speak fluently by 3 and now is often described as articulate - think he was saving up his words until he was ready to strong them altogether, whereas other children seem to pick it up one word at a time. I wouldn't worry too much, as long as it seems she can hear you when you talk to her.

My DC3 was a boy and a later speaker compared to my first two girls. DC1 was talking in sentences just after 18 months.

My HV said at 18 months so long as he was understanding what I saying she wasn't concerned. At 2 she looked for him to have 20 words used in context - he did. Just after his 2nd birthday he suddenly started chatting away in sentences and now at 3.5 can't be shut up.

DC4 is 19 months has about 20 words in context but understands most of what you tell her. She will try sounding things at you, say zoo and she says ooo.

As with everything in kids development they are all different. Just keep repeating the same words and keep sentences simple.

My DC4 if excited gets a huge smile and shakes her arms if that is what you mean by squirming? Have seen other little kids do it too as an expression of excitement. We just think it is cute.

Don't worry at all. If she's babbling she's getting it (and might have words that you dont recognise as such yet. If she's squirming a lot it might be that she's concentrating on some physical move that interests her more than talking.

My DD is 18 months and only uses 'fun' words like has or ball so lots of animal noises but nothing useful like hungry or thirsty. She points for this.

I think she's so used to getting her own way without words she only learns for fun. Use what she loves!

No it doesn't matter, it doesn't mean anything so try not to worry. Don't compare your baby to others. There is a healthy range which babies learn to walk, talk amongst other things. 16mths is still very young. You and she don't need the pressure. Just enjoy her for how she is.

My DS went through a phase of sort of twiddling his feet and hands around and around when he was excited (usually in the presence of food!) which I worried about. He was prob about 7/8mo. I spoke to the HV about it and she said it was just his way of expressing excitement, because he can't talk yet. Sure enough, it abated as he started to talk (although he was about 12mo so younger then your DD).

What I'm trying to say is that maybe the squirming is related to not speaking yet and is just her way of expressing excitement in place of any words.

My DS didn't start saying much until after he turned 2. His friend on the other hand was saying sentences by 16 months. I did worry a bit too but when it did start coming it came quickly.Not sure about the squirming thing, sorry. No harm in mentioning all this to.your HV . I bet it's just one of the many variations of normal, some kids are working at improving different skills at different times, the other skills will catch up later.

My 15 month old babbles like mad - this week he seems obsessed with 'p' and 'b' sounds, which is new - but I couldn't honestly say he really has any words. Occasionally Dada or Mamma, or car, and I swear I have heard him say helicopter once or twice, but nothing else. It never occurred to me to be worried. I know he understands a lot, and he'll talk when he's ready. I'd chat to your GP if you are really concerned, OP, but fpnothing you have said would ring alarm bells for me.

Not read the full thread but didnt want to read and run. My ds didnt even say mama until a few months before his 2nd birthday (this time last year) hes 3 in September and my word his speech has come on a dream. He still babbles when he gets too excited but otherwise hes saying 3-5 word sentences. 1 of my favourites which is a recent one is its not punny mama. Lmao. And im not having it when he doesn't want anything. Nursery helps a hell of a lot. Hth X

poppy at the flapping, my DC does this. I don't think pointing is a milestone, but since I noticed her point the first time (at bright toys in home bargains) I now point thing out and say what it is. (starting with daddy seeing as she can say that)

I wouldn't worry. Sounds normal to me. These babies all do things in their own time. Dd said 'row row row' to me one day c 10 months whilst pushing a book to me that had 'row your boat' in it. Wow I thought - she is already starting to talk. Then nothing (except muma, dada) for another 10-12 months. She clearly understood a lot as would respond to things we said but just didn't want to talk. Then while on holiday started trying to say words and just added more and more everyday. So 22 months when on holidayNow nearly 2 and running commentary for everything!

I've been worrying about this too. DS is 18m and only says daddy and tatoo (thank you). He understands some commands and stuff but at the moment everything (including daddy) is called daddy and whenever I give him something he says tatoo. Dd was already using small sentences at this age.

No - do not worryMy kids are all slow talkers but oddly academic - please enjoy this time and try not to to worryMy baby is also 16 months and says nothing - he's a happy boy and has also only recently pointedHe doesn't walk either He smiles and laughs a lot and if I'm honest with myself I think he'll be - akintoEinstein fine

The red book just says at 1 year she should be making noises and respond to her name which she did at the time and still does. The next set of 'things your kids should do' is at 2.5 years so not really applicable yet.